Charles Haddon Spurgeon tells us that "While commenting upon the One Hundred-and Nineteenth Psalm," he was "brought into most intimate communion with Thomas Manton." This is not surprising, for the great Puritan preached no less than one hundred and ninety sermons on the one hundred and seventy six verses of that psalm, and these sermons occupy three-and-a-half volumes in the 22 volumes of his Complete Works. Spurgeon tells us that while he worked his way through Manton's sermons he was struck with his selective use of similes, or illustrations, and he hit on a plan for a small book; it would consist of a collection of these similes and metaphors, etc., with additional comments by Spurgeon himself.
He tells us that in doing this it is not his intention to "rob" the great Puritan of what is rightly his; "I am simply clearing his house of all his pictures," he says, "and hanging them up in new frames of my own." We thought we might give a few of Manton's pictures in Spurgeon's new frames. The title of the small book that ensued was – Illustrations and Meditations, or, Flowers from a Puritan's Garden. Distilled and Dispensed by C.H. Spurgeon.
First, we have Manton's illustrations, or simile, and then, Spurgeon's comment.
Manton:
There is a close union between Christ and us: we are "in him," and because of this union we are eternally preserved. Look! As it is impossible to sever the leaven and the dough when they are once mingled and kneaded together, so Christ and a believer; when they are united together,, there is no parting them anymore, and while one lasts the other must endure.
Spurgeon:
This is indeed the sure ground of the final preservation of the saints. Their union with their Lord is of an indissoluble nature, so that that apostle enquires, "Who shall separate us?" It is like the union of the body with the head, which cannot be sundered without death to both. "Because I live ye shall live also" is our guarantee of life eternal. What more do we require? "He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit:" what closer and more abiding union can be imagines?
Manton:
The needle of the compass that has been touched by the loadstone (the magnet) may be shaken and agitated, but it never rests until it turns towards the Pole.
Spurgeon:
Thus our heart's affections when once "magnetized" by the love of Christ find no rest except they turn to him. The cares and labours of the day may carry the thoughts to other subjects, even as a finger may turn the needle of the compass to east or west; but no sooner is the pressure removed than the thoughts fly to the Well-beloved just as the needle moves to its place. We are unable to rest anywhere but in Jesus. The new birth has disqualified us for contentment with the world, and hence we have no choice but to find our all in Christ. Blessed necessity! Driven to Jesus by an unrest which finds no remedy elsewhere! Drawn to Jesus by an impulse which we have no desire to resist! We are subject to many deflections and disturbances, but thou knowest, O Lord, that our inmost soul seeks after thyself.
Manton:
The nurse lets the child get a knock sometimes, in order to make it more cautious.
Spurgeon:
Thus does the Lord in providence allow his children to suffer by their sins, that they might be more thoughtful in future. He has no hand in their sin; but since the sin is in them, he allows circumstances to occur by which the evil is made manifest in open acts, which cause them sorrow. When a physician sees a person suffering from an inward complaint, he may think it wise so to deal with his patient that the disease is brought to the surface; and thus also, God may permit the sins of his people to come to an open sore, that they may be aware of them, and seek for healing. The nurse does not make the child careless or cause it to stumble, but she withdraws her interposing care for the best of reasons – namely, that the little one may learn to avoid danger by a measure of suffering on account of it. It would be blasphemous to attribute sin to God; but it is a matter of fact that, by smarting for one's fault, gracious men learn to avoid others.
(To be continued)